Method and apparatus for playing feeding game

ABSTRACT

A feeding game apparatus includes a feeding toy including a handle portion and a movable portion pivotally connected to the handle portion. The movable portion includes a mouth moving between an open position and a closed position. One of the feeding balls received in the movable portion falls out the feeding toy when the mouth is in the open position. A receiver toy is movably received in a seat and includes a body having an opening and a cover pivotally connected to the body. The receiver toy is moving between a lower position in which the opening of the body is closed and an elevated position in which the opening is revealed for receiving the feeding ball from the feeding toy.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method for playing a feeding game. The present invention also relates to a feeding game apparatus.

2. Description of Related Art

Taiwan Utility Model No. 405435 discloses a fishing game apparatus including a rotary device and a plurality of fish-shaped toys. The rotary device includes a rail disc having a plurality of annularly arranged ribs and a carrier disc mounted above the rail disc. The radial disc further includes a plurality of grooves in an upper face thereof and respectively located in association with radial locations of the ribs. Each groove includes a plate moveable in a vertical direction. A through-hole is defined in a bottom wall of each groove, and an associated rib is extendible through the through-hole into the associated groove. The fish toys are respectively received in the grooves and each include a body and a jaw. The body of each fish toy can be moved by an associated plate to an upwardly inclined position or a horizontal position whereas the jaw can be moved by the associated rib to an open position and a closed position relevant to the positions of the body. A player may use a toy fishing rod to catch the fish toys. The toy fishing rod includes a fishing line and a ball or the like attached to a distal end of the fishing rod. Specifically, the user may place the ball in a mouth of a toy fish with its jaw in the open position and pull the toy fish out of the groove when the jaw is moved to its closed position. Entertaining effect and education effect can be obtained through the fish-imitating game.

However, the number of the toy fishes is limited; namely, it takes a short time to catch all of the toy fishes, and the player has to place all of the toy fishes back into the grooves to restart the game. The fishing game teaches fishing, which is not positive from the viewpoint of education of nursing and raising.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a feeding game apparatus and a method for playing a feeding game that is more positive from the viewpoint of education of nursing and raising while providing an entertaining effect.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a feeding game apparatus and a method for playing a feeding game that can be played for a longer period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a feeding game apparatus includes a feeding toy including a handle portion and a movable portion pivotally connected to the handle portion. The movable portion includes a mouth moving between an open position and a closed position. The movable portion receives a plurality of feeding balls. One of the feeding balls falls out the feeding toy when the mouth is in the open position. A receiver toy is movably received in a seat and includes a body having an opening and a cover pivotally connected to the body and moving between an open position in which the opening is revealed and a closed position in which the opening is closed. An elevating device is provided moving the receiver toy between a lower position in which the opening of the body is closed and an elevated position in which the opening is revealed for receiving the feeding ball from the feeding toy.

Preferably, the handle portion further includes an actuating member and a pushbutton. The actuating member has a first end connected to the pushbutton and a second end for pressing against the movable portion to pivot the movable portion when the pushbutton is pressed.

Preferably, the receiver toy further includes a compartment for receiving the feeding ball passing through the opening of the body.

In an embodiment, the elevating device includes a rotatable disc having a plurality of arc-shaped rails each having a height that varies along a length thereof. The rails extend in a circumferential direction parallel to a circumference of the rotatable disc and have different radii from a center of the rotatable disc.

In another embodiment, the elevating device includes a lever and a push member on which the body of the receiver toy rests. The lever is pivotally connected to the seat and includes a first end pivotally connected to the push member and a second end for manual operation.

Preferably, the feeding game apparatus further includes a driving device for driving the rotatable disc to turn.

Preferably, the feeding game apparatus further includes a sound effect device activatable by the elevating device or the driving device to generate a sound effect.

Preferably, the feeding toy is in the form of an adult of an animal, and with the receiver toy is in the form of a baby of the animal.

Preferably, the movable portion further includes a pressing member extending radially outward from a periphery of the shaft.

Preferably, the movable portion further includes a rotational control member adjacent to the pressing member. An end of the rotational control member is pressed by the pressing member to cause rotational movement of the rotational control member when the pushbutton is pushed.

Preferably, the movable portion further includes a retaining groove for receiving the feeding balls. The retaining groove has an opening in a lower end thereof to allow a feeding ball to pass therethrough.

Preferably, the movable portion further includes a jaw pivotally mounted to the other end of the rotational control member to form the mouth of the feeding toy. The jaw is pivotable together with the rotational control member to the open position.

Preferably, the movable portion further includes a partitioning member and a retaining groove in communication with the opening of the retaining groove. The partitioning member includes a first end pivotally connected to the rotational control member and a second end moving between a first position allowing one of the feeding balls to pass through the opening and a second position not allowing passage of the feeding balls through the opening.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a method for playing a feeding game includes operating an elevating device to move a receiver toy repeatedly out of a seat in which the receiver toy is received to reveal an opening of the receiver toy; operating a movable portion of a feeding toy to pivot relative to a handle portion of the feeding toy to cause opening of a mouth of the feeding toy; and feeding a feeding ball from the movable portion into the receiver toy via the opening of the receiver toy.

The method may further include supplying feeding balls into the movable portion through a lid of the movable portion or through open mouth of the feeding toy.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a feeding game apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of the feeding game apparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, wherein a feeding toy is pivoted and a mouth of a receiver toy is open;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3, wherein a feeding ball falls from the feeding toy into the mouth of the receiver toy;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a head portion of the feeding toy in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the head portion of the feeding toy in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view illustrating supply of feeding balls to the feeding toy through a lid;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view illustrating supply of feeding balls to the feeding toy through the mouth of the feeding toy;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 2, illustrating a modified embodiment of an elevating device of the feeding game apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9, illustrating feeding of a feeding ball from the feeding toy to the receiver toy.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a feeding game apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a feeding toy 1, a seat 2, and at least one receiver toy 3. The feeding toy 1 has a shape of an adult animal. The seat 2 is in the form of a nest of the animal, and the receiver toy 3 is in the form of a baby of the animal. In the preferred form shown, the feeding toy 1 is in the form of an adult bird, and the receiver toy 3 is in the form of a baby bird.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the feeding toy 1 of this embodiment includes a handle portion 11 and a movable portion 12 that are both hollow for receive elements. The handle portion 11 allows easy gripping by a player. The movable portion 12 is preferably mounted above and pivotable relative to the handle portion 11.

With reference to FIG. 2, the handle portion 11 of this embodiment includes a housing 111, a pushbutton 112, an actuating member 113, an elastic return element 114, a return shaft 115, and a pressing member 116. The housing 111 is preferably ergonomic to allow it to be held by a hand of the player. The pushbutton 112 is movably extended through the housing 111 and has an outer end normally outside the housing 111 for manual pressing by the player. An end of the actuating member 113 is connected to an inner end of the pushbutton 112, and the other end of the actuating member 113 is coupled with the movable portion 12 for driving the movable portion 12 to pivot. The elastic return element 114 is attached between the pushbutton 112 and an inner wall portion of the housing 111 to bias the outer end of the pushbutton 112 to a position outside the housing 111 when the pushbutton 112 is not pressed.

The return shaft 115 is extended through the movable portion 12 and so arranged that the movable portion 12 is pivotable about an axis of the return shaft 115 when the movable portion 12 is subjected to an external force and that the movable portion 12 is pivoted back to its original position about the axis of the return shaft 115 after the external force is released. The pressing member 116 is fixed to the return shaft 115. In the preferred form shown, the pressing member 116 extends radially outward from a periphery of the return shaft 115.

With reference to FIG. 2, the movable portion 12 of this embodiment includes a casing 121, a rotational control member 122, an elastic return element 123, a jaw 124, a partitioning member 125, a retaining groove 126, a retaining groove 127, and a lid 128. The casing 121 receives other elements of the movable portion 12 and is pivotable relative to the return shaft 115. The rotational control member 122 is rotatably supported in the casing 121 and has an end against which the pressing member 116 can press for controlling pivotal movement of the rotational control member 122. The elastic return element 123 is attached between the other end of the rotational control member 122 and an inner wall of the casing 121 for returning the rotational control member 122 to its original position. The jaw 124 is fixed to a portion of the rotational control member 122 and moving between a closed position and an open position relative to the casing 121. The partitioning member 125 is pivotally connected to another portion of the rotational control member 122. The retaining groove 126 is located in the casing 121 and adjacent to the partitioning member 125. The retaining groove 127 is also located in the casing 121 and in a higher position. An opening (not labeled) is defined in a lower end of the retaining groove 127 and in communication with a side of the retaining groove 126 opposite to the partitioning member 125. The opening has a size to allow passage of a single feeding material at a time. The lid 128 is mounted to the casing 121 and forms a portion of a wall delimiting the retaining groove 127. A plurality of feeding materials 4 are received in the retaining groove 127. In the preferred form shown, the feeding materials 4 are spherical for easy rolling.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the seat 2 of this embodiment includes an elevating device 21, a lower case 22, and an upper case 23. The elevating device 21 is in the form of a disc having at least one arc-shaped rail 211 on an upper face of the disc and a plurality of teeth on a circumference of the disc. Each rail 211 has a height that varies along a length of the rail 211. Preferably, each rail 211 extends in a circumferential direction parallel to the circumference of the disc. The rails 211 have different radii from a center of the disc. The elevating device 21 is rotatably received in the lower case 22.

Also mounted in the lower case 22 is a driving device 221 for driving the elevating device 21 to turn via the teeth of the disc or other suitable transmission. Thus, the disc can be driven to turn relative to the lower case 22. A sound effect device 222 is mounted in the lower case 22 and activatable by the elevating device 21 or the driving device 221 to provide a sound effect.

The upper case 23 is fixed above the lower case 22 and includes an upper face having at least one through-hole 231 corresponding to the radial position of the at least one rail 211. Each through-hole 231 has a stepped portion 232 adjacent to the upper face of the upper case 23. A receiver toy 3 is movably received in each through-hole 231. The driving device 221 drives the disc to turn via the teeth of the disc. In an alternative arrangement, the driving device 221 can drive the disc via a frictional wheel or belt. The driving device 221 can be operated electrically.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the receiver toy 3 includes a body 31 and a cover 32. The body 31 is extendible through the through-hole 231 and includes an opening 311 in a top end thereof. The body 31 is located on the path of an associated rail 211. The cover 32 is pivotally connected to the body 31 in a position adjacent to the opening 311. The cover 32 may close the opening311 while resting on the stepped portion 232. The body 31 includes a compartment 33 in communication with the opening 311.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 5, in use, the player press the pushbutton 112 of the handle portion 11 such that the actuating member 113 urges the movable portion 12 to pivot about the axis of the return shaft 115 relative to the handle portion 11 until the pressing member 116 of the handle portion 11 comes in contact with the rotational control member 122 of the movable portion 12. At this time, one feeding ball 4 slides from the retaining groove 127 into the retaining groove 126 and is retained in place by a wall defining the retaining groove 126.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, upon further pressing on the pushbutton 112, the rotational control member 122 is pressed by the pressing member 116 to pivot relative to the casing 121 of the movable portion 12. At this time, the control rotational member 122 moves the jaw 124 away from the casing 121 such that the feeding toy 1 seems to open its mouth. Namely, the jaw 124 is moved from the closed position to the open position (the mouth of the feeding toy 1 is open). Meanwhile, the partitioning member 125 pushes the feeding ball 4 out of the retaining groove 126 such that the feeding ball 4 falls out of the feeding toy 1 via the mouth of the feeding toy 1. The partitioning member 125 also serves to at least partially close the opening of the retaining groove 127 to maintain the remaining feeding balls 4 in the retaining groove 127. Namely, a feeding ball 4 is fed each time the pushbutton 112 is pushed.

When the pressing force to the pushbutton 112 is released, the pushbutton 112 is returned by the elastic return element 114 to its original position. Meanwhile, returning movement of the pushbutton 112 releases the force acting on the actuating member 113 such that the casing 121 is returned by the return shaft 115 to its original position (the position the pushbutton 112 has not been pushed yet). Furthermore, the rotational control member 122 and the jaw 124 are returned by the elastic return element 123 to their original positions (the positions the pushbutton 112 has not been pressed yet). Namely, the mouth of the feeding toy 1 is closed.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, when a bottom of the receiver toy 3 rests on the upper face of the disc or on a lower position of a top face of the associated rail 211, the cover 32 rests on the stepped portion 232 of the upper case 23 and the opening 311 is closed. Namely, the mouth of the receiver toy 3 is closed. When the bottom of the receiver toy 3 is moved to a higher position of the top face of the associated rail 211, the body 31 and the cover 32 are moved upward to a position above the upper face of the upper case 23. In the elevated position, the cover 32 pivots downward due to gravity and thus opens the opening 311. Namely, the mouth of the receiver toy 3 is open. At this time, the player may feed the feeding ball 4 by pressing the pushbutton 112 so that the feeding ball 4 can pass the opening 311 into the compartment 33 of the receiver toy 3, thereby accomplishing the feeding movement.

With reference to FIG. 7, feeding balls 4 can be supplied to the retaining groove 127 through the lid 128. With reference to FIG. 8, the player can press the pushbutton 112 to open the mouth of the feeding toy 1 and then place the mouth of the feeding toy 1 in a trough (not labeled) filled with feeding balls 4. At least one feeding ball 4 can be picked up via the mouth of the feeding toy 1 (the opening between the jaw 124 in the open position and the casing 12).

The number of the rails 211 may be equal to that of the receiver toys 3, with each receiver toy 3 movably received in an associated through-hole 231 and moving by an associated rail 211. Thus, the receiver toys 3 are moved upward to reveal their respective openings 311 at different times due to the arrangement of the rails 211. This provides a different entertaining effect. In an alternative arrangement, the number of the rails 211 is greater than that of the receiver toys 3; namely, some of the through-holes 231 receive no receiver toys 3. This provides another different entertaining effect.

FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a modified embodiment of the elevating device 21. In this embodiment, the elevating device 21 includes a lever 212 and a push member 213. The lever 212 is pivoted by a pin or the like to the lower case 22 and includes an inner end pivotally connected to the push member 213 and an outer end for manual operation. The push member 213 includes an upper end on which a receiver toy 3 rests. Thus, the player can operate the lever 212 to move the receiver toy 3 upward in the associated through-hole 231 to play the feeding game. Namely, it is not necessary to apply energy (such as electrical energy) to the driving device 221 for driving the seat 2.

The feeding game apparatus and method for playing a feeding game in accordance with the present invention provides positive education of nursing and raising. Furthermore, the feeding game can go on longer than the conventional fishing game.

While the principles of this invention have been disclosed in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the appended claims. 

1. A feeding game apparatus, comprising: a feeding toy including a handle portion and a movable portion pivotally connected to the handle portion, with the movable portion including a mouth moving between an open position and a closed position, with the movable portion receiving at least one feeding ball, with the feeding ball falling out the feeding toy when the mouth is in the open position; a receiver toy including a body having an opening and a cover pivotally connected to the body and moving between an open position in which the opening is revealed and a closed position in which the opening is closed; a seat including a through-hole in which the receiver toy is movably received; and an elevating device for moving the receiver toy between a lower position in which the opening of the body is closed and an elevated position in which the opening is revealed for receiving the feeding ball from the feeding toy.
 2. The feeding game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, with the handle portion further including an actuating member and a pushbutton, and with the actuating member having a first end connected to the pushbutton and a second end for pressing against the movable portion to pivot the movable portion when the pushbutton is pressed.
 3. The feeding game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, with the receiver toy further including a compartment for receiving the feeding ball passing through the opening of the body.
 4. The feeding game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, with the elevating device including a rotatable disc having a plurality of arc-shaped rails each having a height that varies along a length thereof, with the rails extending in a circumferential direction parallel to a circumference of the rotatable disc and having different radii from a center of the rotatable disc.
 5. The feeding game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, with the elevating device including a lever and a push member on which the body of the receiver toy rests, with the lever being pivotally connected to the seat and including a first end pivotally connected to the push member and a second end for manual operation.
 6. The feeding game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, with the feeding game apparatus further including a driving device for driving the rotatable disc to turn.
 7. The feeding game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, with the feeding game apparatus further including a sound effect device activatable by the elevating device to generate a sound effect.
 8. The feeding game apparatus as claimed in claim 6, with the feeding game apparatus further including a sound effect device activatable by the driving device to generate a sound effect.
 9. The feeding game apparatus as claimed in claim 1, with the feeding toy being in a form of an adult of an animal, and with the receiver toy being in a form of a baby of the animal.
 10. A feeding toy comprising: a handle portion including a shaft; and a movable portion pivotally mounted to the shaft, with the movable portion including a mouth moving between an open position and a closed position, with the movable portion receiving a plurality of feeding balls, with one of the feeding balls falling out the feeding toy when the mouth is in the open position.
 11. The feeding toy as claimed in claim 10, with the handle portion further including an actuating member and a pushbutton, and with the actuating member having a first end connected to the pushbutton and a second end for pressing against the movable portion to pivot the movable portion when the pushbutton is pressed.
 12. The feeding toy as claimed in claim 10, with the movable portion further including a pressing member extending radially outward from a periphery of the shaft.
 13. The feeding toy as claimed in claim 12, with the movable portion further including a rotational control member adjacent to the pressing member, and with an end of the rotational control member being pressed by the pressing member to cause rotational movement of the rotational control member when the pushbutton is pushed.
 14. The feeding toy as claimed in claim 13, with the movable portion further including a retaining groove for receiving the feeding balls, with the retaining groove having an opening in a lower end thereof, with the opening allowing a feeding ball to pass therethrough.
 15. The feeding toy as claimed in claim 13, with the movable portion further including a jaw pivotally mounted to another end of the rotational control member to form the mouth of the feeding toy, and with the jaw being pivotable together with the rotational control member to the open position.
 16. The feeding toy as claimed in claim 14, with the movable portion further including a partitioning member and a retaining groove in communication with the opening of the retaining groove, with the partitioning member including a first end pivotally connected to the rotational control member and a second end moving between a first position allowing one of the feeding balls to pass through the opening and a second position not allowing passage of the feeding balls through the opening.
 17. The feeding toy as claimed in claim 10, with the feeding toy being in a form of an adult of an animal.
 18. A method for playing a feeding game, comprising: operating an elevating device to move a receiver toy repeatedly out of a seat in which the receiver toy is received to reveal an opening of the receiver toy; operating a movable portion of a feeding toy to pivot relative to a handle portion of the feeding toy to cause opening of a mouth of the feeding toy; and feeding a feeding ball from the movable portion into the receiver toy via the opening of the receiver toy.
 19. The method as claimed in claim 18, further including supplying feeding balls into the movable portion through a lid of the movable portion.
 20. The method as claimed in claim 18, further including supplying feeding balls into the movable portion through open mouth of the feeding toy. 